2017 Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview

2017 Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview - PDF Version (2.36 MB)

Public Works and Government Services Canada

Cat. No.: PS1-3E-PDF

ISSN: 1713-1073

This document was produced by the Public Safety Canada Portfolio Corrections Statistics Committee which is composed of representatives of Public Safety Canada, Correctional Service Canada, Parole Board of Canada, the Office of the Correctional Investigator and the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (Statistics Canada).

Preface

This document provides a statistical overview of corrections and conditional release within a context of trends in crime and criminal justice. A primary consideration in producing this overview was to present general statistical information in a "user friendly" way that will facilitate understanding by a broad audience. Accordingly, there are a number of features of this document that make it different from typical statistical reports.

• First, the visual representation of the statistics is simple and uncluttered, and under each chart there are a few key points that will assist the reader in extracting the information from the chart.
• Second, for each chart there is a table of numbers corresponding to the visual representation. In some instances, the table includes additional numbers, e.g., a five-year series, even though the chart depicts the data for the most recent year (e.g., Figure A2).
• Third, rather than using the conventional headings for statistics (e.g., "Police-reported crime rate by year by type of crime") the titles for each chart and table inform the reader about the matter at hand (e.g., "Police-reported crime rate has decreased since 1998").
• Fourth, notes have been kept to a minimum, that is, only where they were judged to be essential for the reader to understand the statistics.
• Finally, the source of the statistics is indicated under each chart so that the interested reader can easily access more information if desired.

The Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview (CCRSO) has been published annually since 1998. Readers are advised that in some instances figures have been revised from earlier publications. Also, the total number of offenders will vary slightly depending on the characteristics of the data set.

It is hoped that this document will serve as a useful source of statistical information on corrections and conditional release and assist the public in gaining a better understanding of these important components of the criminal justice system.

Regarding police crime data from Statistics Canada, until the late 1980s, the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) survey provided aggregate counts of the number of incidents reported to police and the number of persons charged by type of offence. With the advent of microdata reporting, the UCR has become an "incident-based" survey (UCR2), collecting in-depth information about each criminal incident. The update to this new survey, as well as revisions to the definitions of violent crime, property crime, and other Criminal Code offences has resulted in data only being available from 1998 to the present. It is worth noting that the Total Crime Rates presented in the CCRSO differ from those reported by Statistics Canada in their publications. The Total Crime Rates reported in the CCRSO include offences (i.e., traffic offences in the Canadian Criminal Code and violations of federal statutes) that are excluded in the rates published by Statistics Canada.

Contributing Partners

Public Safety Canada

Public Safety Canada is Canada's lead federal department for public safety, which includes emergency management, national security and community safety. Its many responsibilities include developing legislation and policies that govern corrections, implementing innovative approaches to community justice, and providing research expertise and resources to the corrections community.

Correctional Service Canada

The mandate of Correctional Service Canada, as set out in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, is to contribute to the maintenance of a just, peaceful and safe society by carrying out sentences imposed by courts through the safe and humane custody and supervision of offenders with sentences of two years or more, and assisting in the rehabilitation of offenders and their reintegration into the community as law-abiding citizens through the provision of programs in penitentiaries and in the community.

Parole Board of Canada

The Parole Board of Canada is an independent administrative tribunal responsible for making decisions about the timing and conditions of release of offenders into the community on various forms of conditional release. The Board also makes pardon decisions and recommendations respecting clemency through the Royal Prerogative of Mercy.

Office of the Correctional Investigator

The Office of the Correctional Investigator is an ombudsman for federal offenders. It conducts investigations into the problems of offenders related to decisions, recommendations, acts or omissions of the Correctional Service of Canada that affect offenders individually or as a group.

Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (Statistics Canada)

The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS) is a division of Statistics Canada. The CCJS is the focal point of a federal-provincial-territorial partnership, known as the National Justice Statistics Initiative, for the collection of information on the nature and extent of crime and the administration of civil and criminal justice in Canada.

Section A. Context - Crime and the Criminal Justice System

Police-reported crime rate has been decreasing since 1998

Figure A1

Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• The overall crime rate has decreased 33.8% since 1998, from 8,915 per 100,000 to 5,905 in 2016.
• Over the same period, there was a 43.7% decrease in the property crime rate, from 5,696 per 100,000 to 3,207 in 2016. In contrast, the crime rate for drug offences has increased 11.9% since 1998, from 235 per 100,000 population to 263.
• The rate of violent crime has fluctuated over the last 19 years, peaking in 2000 at 1,494 per 100,000 population. Since 2000, the rate of violent crimes had decreased by 29.6% to 1,052 in 2016.
• In general, the crime rates for traffic offences and other Criminal Code offences have fluctuated since 1998.

Note:

*Unlike Statistics Canada, the Total Crime Rate in the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview includes traffic offences and violations of federal statutes to provide a measure of all criminal offences. As a result, the Total Crime Rate reported here is higher than that reported by Statistics Canada.

**The definitions for Violent, Property and Other Criminal Code offences have been revised by Statistics Canada to better reflect definitions used by the policing community. As a result of these changes, comparable data are only available starting in 1998 and the data presented in this year's report are not comparable to the data reported in previous versions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview.

These crime statistics are based on crimes that are reported to the police. Since not all crimes are reported to the police, these figures underestimate actual crime. See Figure F1 for rates based on victimization surveys (drawn from the General Social Survey), an alternative method of measuring crime.

Police-reported crime rate has been decreasing since 1998

Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

*Unlike Statistics Canada, the Total Crime Rate in the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview includes traffic offences and violations of federal statutes to provide a measure of all criminal offences. As a result, the Total Crime Rate reported here is higher than that reported by Statistics Canada.

**The definitions for Violent, Property and Other Criminal Code offences have been revised by Statistics Canada to better reflect definitions used by the policing community. As a result of these changes, comparable data are only available starting in 1998 and the data presented in this year's report are not comparable to the data reported in previous versions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview.

Rates are based on incidents reported per 100,000 population.

Due to rounding, rates may not add up to totals.

Crime rates are higher in the west and highest in the north

Figure A2

Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• Crime rates are higher in the west and highest in the territories. This general pattern has been stable over time.
• The Canadian crime rate* dropped from 6,459 in 2012 to 5,905 in 2016.

Note:

Rates are based on 100,000 population.
Unlike Statistics Canada, the Crime Rate in the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview includes traffic offences and violations of federal statutes to provide a measure of all criminal offences. As a result, the Crime Rate reported here is higher than that reported by Statistics Canada. In addition, the definitions for Violent, Property and Other Criminal Code offences have been revised by Statistics Canada to better reflect definitions used by the policing community. As a result of these changes, comparable data are only available starting in 1998 and the data presented in this year’s report are not comparable to the data reported in previous versions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview

Crime rates are higher in the west and highest in the north

Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

*Rates are based on 100,000 population.

Unlike Statistics Canada, the Crime Rate in the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview includes traffic offences and violations of federal statutes to provide a measure of all criminal offences. As a result, the Crime Rate reported here is higher than that reported by Statistics Canada. In addition, the definitions for Violent, Property and Other Criminal Code offences have been revised by Statistics Canada to better reflect definitions used by the policing community. As a result of these changes, comparable data are only available starting in 1998 and the data presented in this year's report are not comparable to the data reported in previous versions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview.

Canada's incarceration rate is high relative to most western European countries

Figure A3

Source: World Prison Population List online (retrieved November 10, 2017 at www.prisonstudies.org/highest-to-lowest/prison-population-total).

• Canada's incarceration rate is higher than the rates in most western European countries but much lower than the United States, where the most recent incarceration rate was 666 per 100,000 general population.
• Based on the most up-to-date information available from the International Centre for Prison Studies, Canada's incarceration rate was 114 per 100,000. When ranked from highest to lowest, Canada's prison population rate was ranked 140^th of 222 countries.

Note:

The incarceration rate, in this figure, is a measure of the number of people (i.e., adults and youth) in custody per 100,000 people in the general population. Incarceration rates from the World Prison Population List are based on the most recently available data at the time the list was compiled. Due to variations in the availability of information, the 2006 and 2008 dates reported in Figure A3 refer to when the World Prison Population Lists (Seventh and Eighth Editions respectively) were published, but may not necessarily correspond to the date the data were obtained. For 2017, the data was retrieved online on November 10, 2017 from www.prisonstudies.org which contains the most up-to-date information available. These data reflect incarceration rates based on the country's population. Additionally, different practices and variations in measurement in different countries limit the comparability of these figures.

Canada's incarceration rate is high relative to most western European countries

Source: International Centre for Prison Studies: ¹ World Prison Population List (Seventh Edition); ² World Prison Population List (Eighth Edition); ³ World Prison Population List online (retrieved October 7, 2011 at www.prisonstudies.org/info/worldbrief/index.php), ⁴ World Prison Population List online (retrieved October 15, 2012 at www.prisonstudies.org/info/worldbrief/index.php). ⁵ World Prison Population List online (retrieved November 20, 2013 at www.prisonstudies.org/info/worldbrief/index.php). ⁶ World Prison Population List online (retrieved December 8, 2014 at www.prisonstudies.org/world-prison-brief). ⁷ World Prison Population List (retrieved November 20, 2015 at www.prisonstudies.org/highest-to-lowest/prison-population-total). ⁸ World Prison Population List online (retrieved December 6, 2016 at www.prisonstudies.org/highest-to-lowest/prison-population-total). ⁹ World Prison Population List online (retrieved November 10, 2017 at www.prisonstudies.org/highest-to-lowest/prison-population-total).

Note:

*Incarceration rates from the World Prison Population List are based on the most recently available data at the time the list was compiled. Due to variations in the availability of information, the 2006 and 2008 dates reported in Table A3 refer to when the World Prison Population Lists (Seventh and Eighth Editions respectively) were published, but may not necessarily correspond to the date the data were obtained. For 2017, the data was retrieved online on November 10, 2017 at www.prisonstudies.org which contains the most up to date information available. Additionally, different practices and variations in measurement in different countries limit the comparability of these figures. Rates are based on 100,000 population.

The rate of adults charged has declined

Figure A4

Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• Since 1998, the rate of adults charged has decreased from 2,236 adults per 100,000 to 1,878 in 2016, a decrease of 16.0%.
• Over the same period, the rate of adults charged with violent crimes decreased by 11.5%, such that in 2016, 498 adults were charged per 100,000, whereas the rate of adults charged for property offences decreased by 44.6% from 677 adults per 100,000 to 375 in 2016.

Note:

*Unlike Statistics Canada, the Total Crime Rate in the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview includes traffic offences and violations of federal statutes to provide a measure of all criminal offences. As a result, the Total Crime Rate reported here is higher than that reported by Statistics Canada.

**The definitions for Violent, Property and Other Criminal Code offences have been revised by Statistics Canada to better reflect definitions used by the policing community. As a result of these changes, comparable data are only available starting in 1998 and the data presented in this year's report are not comparable to the data reported in previous versions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview.

Violent crimes include homicide, attempted murder, assault, sexual offences, abduction, extortion, robbery, firearms, and other violent offences such as uttering threats and criminal harassment.

Property crimes include break and enter, motor vehicle thefts, other thefts, possession of stolen property, fraud, mischief and arson.

The rate of adults charged has declined

Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

*Unlike Statistics Canada, the Total Crime Rate in the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview includes traffic offences and violations of federal statutes to provide a measure of all criminal offences. As a result, the Total Crime Rate reported here is higher than that reported by Statistics Canada.

**The definitions for Violent, Property and Other Criminal Code offences have been revised by Statistics Canada to better reflect definitions used by the policing community. As a result of these changes, comparable data are only available starting in 1998 and the data presented in this year's report are not comparable to the data reported in previous versions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview.

Rates are based on 100,000 population, 18 years of age and older.

Due to rounding, rates may not add up to totals.

Violent crimes include homicide, attempted murder, assault, sexual offences, abduction, extortion, robbery, firearms, and other violent offences such as uttering threats and criminal harassment.

Property crimes include break and enter, motor vehicle theft, other theft, possession of stolen property, fraud, mischief and arson.

Administration of justice cases account for 23% of cases in adult courts

Figure A5

Source: Integrated Criminal Court Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• Administration of justice cases (offences related to case proceedings such as failure to appear in court, failure to comply with a court order, breach of probation, and unlawfully at large) account for more than one fifth of cases completed in adult criminal courts.
• Apart from administration of justice cases, theft and impaired driving are the most frequent cases in adult courts.

Note:

*Cases completed in adult criminal courts.

The concept of a case has changed to more closely reflect court processing. Statistics from the Integrated Criminal Court Survey used in this report should not be compared to editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview prior to 2007. A case is one or more charges against an accused person or corporation, processed by the courts at the same time, and where all of the charges in the case received a final disposition. Where a case has more than one charge, it is necessary to select a charge to represent the case. An offence is selected by applying two rules. First, the "most serious decision" rule is applied. In cases where two or more offences have the same decision, the "most serious offence" rule is applied. All charges are ranked according to an offence seriousness scale.

Superior Court data are not reported to the Integrated Criminal Court Survey for Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In addition, information from Quebec's municipal courts is not collected.

The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics continues to make updates to the offence library used to classify offence data sent by the provinces and territories. These improvements have resulted in minor changes in the counts of charges and cases as well as the distributions by type of offence. Data presented have been revised to account for these updates.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

Administration of justice cases account for 23% of cases in adult courts

Source: Integrated Criminal Court Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

*Cases completed in adult criminal courts.

The concept of a case has changed to more closely reflect court processing. Statistics from the Integrated Criminal Court Survey used in this report should not be compared to editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview prior to 2007. Superior Court data are not reported to the Integrated Criminal Court Survey for Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In addition, information from Quebec's municipal courts is not collected. The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics continues to make updates to the offence library used to classify offence data sent by the provinces and territories. These improvements have resulted in minor changes in the counts of charges and cases as well as the distributions by type of offence. Data presented have been revised to account for these updates.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

Most adult custodial sentences ordered by the court are short

Figure A6

Source: Integrated Criminal Court Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• Over half (58%) of all custodial sentences imposed by adult criminal courts are one month or less.
• Prison sentences for men tend to be longer than for women. About two-thirds (68.9%) of women and just over half of men (56.4%) who are incarcerated following a guilty* finding receive a sentence of one month or less, and 92.5% of women and 87.8% of men receive a sentence of six months or less.
• Of all guilty findings that result in custody, only 3.2% result in federal jurisdiction (i.e., a sentence of two years or more).

Note:

Data from 2015-2016 were not available during the preparation of this report.

*The decision type guilty" includes guilty of the offence, of an included offence, of an attempt of the offence, or of an attempt of an included offence. This category also includes cases where an absolute or conditional discharge has been imposed

The concept of a case has changed to more closely reflect court processing. Statistics from the Integrated Criminal Court Survey used in this report should not be compared to editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview prior to 2007.

Excludes cases where length of prison sentence and/or sex was not known, data for Manitoba as information on sentence length was not available.

Superior Court data are not reported to the Integrated Criminal Court Survey for prince Edward Island, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In addition, information from Quebec's municipal courts is not collected.

The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics continues to make updates to the offence library used to classify offence data sent by the provinces and territories. These improvements have resulted in minor changes in the counts of charges and cases as well as the distributions by type of offence. Data presented have been revised to account for these updates.

Due to rounding, totals may not add up to 100 percent.

Most adult custodial sentences ordered by the court are short

Source: Integrated Criminal Court Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

The concept of a case has changed to more closely reflect court processing. Statistics from the Integrated Criminal Court Survey used in this report should not be compared to editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview prior to 2007.

Excludes cases where length of prison sentence and/or sex was not known, data for Manitoba as information on both sentence length was not available.

Superior Court data are not reported to the Integrated Criminal Court Survey for Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In addition, information from Quebec's municipal courts is not collected.

The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics continues to make updates to the offence library used to classify offence data sent by the provinces and territories. These improvements have resulted in minor changes in the counts of charges and cases as well as the distributions by type of offence. Data presented have been revised to account for these updates.

Due to rounding, totals may not add up to 100 percent.

Relatively few crimes result in sentences to federal penitentiaries

Figure A7

Source: ¹ Uniform Crime Reporting Survey-2, Adult Criminal Court Survey, and Adult Correctional Services Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada; ² Correctional Service Canada.

• There were about 2.1 million incidents reported to police in 2016.
• In 2016-17, 4,809 warrant of committal admissions for offenders sentenced to federal jurisdiction (i.e., two years or more).

Note:

*The decision type "guilty" includes guilty of the offence, of an included offence, of an attempt of the offence, or of an attempt of an included offence. This category also includes cases where an absolute or conditional discharge has been imposed.

**This figure only includes cases in provincial court and partial data from Superior Court. Superior Court data are not reported to the Integrated Criminal Court Survey for Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Information from Quebec's municipal courts is not collected.

The concept of a case has changed to more closely reflect court processing. Statistics from the Integrated Criminal Court Survey used in this report should not be compared to editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview prior to 2007. A case is one or more charges against an accused person or corporation, processed by the courts at the same time, and where all of the charges in the case received a final disposition.

Police data are reported on a calendar year basis whereas court and prison data are reported on a fiscal year basis (April 1 through March 31).

Relatively few crimes result in sentences to federal penitentiaries

Source: ¹ Uniform Crime Reporting Survey-2, Integrated Criminal Court Survey, and Adult Correctional Services Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada; ² Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

*The decision type "guilty" includes guilty of the offence, of an included offence, of an attempt of the offence, or of an attempt of an included offence. This category also includes cases where an absolute or conditional discharge has been imposed.

**This figure only includes cases in provincial court and partial data from Superior Court. Superior Court data are not reported to the Integrated Criminal Court Survey for Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Information from Quebec's municipal courts is not collected.

The concept of a case has changed to more closely reflect court processing. Statistics from the Integrated Criminal Court Survey used in this report should not be compared to editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview prior to 2007. A case is one or more charges against an accused person or corporation, processed by the courts at the same time, and where all of the charges in the case received a final disposition.

Police data are reported on a calendar year basis whereas court and prison data are reported on a fiscal year basis (April 1 through March 31).

***Data from 2016-2017 were not yet released during the preparation of this report.

The rate of youth charged has declined over the past ten years

Figure A8

Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• The rate of youth^** charged has declined over the past ten years.
• In 2003, there was a notable decrease in all major crime categories, in part attributable to the implementation of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) in April 2003, which places greater emphasis on diversion.
• The rate of youth charged with property crimes has decreased since 1998 by 79.2%, dropping from 2,500 per 100,000 youth to 520 in 2016.
• The rate of youth charged with violent crimes has decreased by 43.8% since reaching its peak in 2001, dropping from 1,157 per 100,000 youth to 650 in 2016.

Note:

*Unlike Statistics Canada, the Total Crime Rate in the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview includes traffic offences and violations of federal statutes to provide a measure of all criminal offences. As a result, the Total Crime Rate reported here is higher than that reported by Statistics Canada. In addition, the definitions for Violent, Property and Other Criminal Code offences have been revised by Statistics Canada to better reflect definitions used by the policing community. As a result of these changes, comparable data are only available starting in 1998 and the data presented in this year's report are not compa rable to the data reported in previous versions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview.

**Data for Youth Charged and Youth Not Charged for Impaired Driving are not available prior to 2007. As a result, comparisons to Total Charged and Other CCC (including traffic) over time should be made with caution.

For criminal justice purposes, youth are defined under Canadian law as persons age 12 to 17.

Rates are based on 100,000 youth population (12 to 17 years old).

Violent crimes include homicide, attempted murder, assault, sexual offences, abduction, extortion, robbery, firearms, and other violent offences such as uttering threats and criminal harassment.

Property crimes include break and enter, motor vehicle theft, other theft, possession of stolen property, fraud, mischief and arson.

The rate of youth charged has declined over the past ten years

Source: Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

*Unlike Statistics Canada, the Total Crime Rate in the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview includes traffic offences and violations of federal statutes to provide a measure of all criminal offences. As a result, the Total Crime Rate reported here is higher than that reported by Statistics Canada. In addition, the definitions for Violent, Property and Other Criminal Code offences have been revised by Statistics Canada to better reflect definitions used by the policing community. As a result of these changes, comparable data are only available starting in 1998 and the data presented in this year's report are not compa rable to the data reported in previous versions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview.

**Data for Youth Charged and Youth Not Charged for Impaired Driving are not available prior to 2007. As a result, comparisons to Total Charged and Other CCC (including traffic) over time should be made with caution.

For criminal justice purposes, youth are defined under Canadian law as persons age 12 to 17.

Rates are based on 100,000 youth population (12 to 17 years old).

Violent crimes include homicide, attempted murder, assault, sexual offences, abduction, extortion, robbery, firearms, and other violent offences such as uttering threats and criminal harassment.

Property crimes include break and enter, motor vehicle theft, other theft, possession of stolen property, fraud, mischief and arson.

The most common youth court case is theft

Figure A9

Source: Integrated Criminal Court Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• Following the enactment of the Youth Criminal Justice Act in 2003, fewer youth appear in court.
• Theft is the most common case in youth court.
• Homicides and related offences account for 0.2% of all youth cases.
• Females account for 23% of all cases, but they account for 36% of common assaults.

Note:

*"Administration of Justice" includes the offences failure to appear, failure to comply, and breach of recognizance.

**Youth Criminal Justice Act offences include failure to comply with a disposition or undertaking, contempt against youth court, assisting a youth to leave a place of custody and harbouring a youth unlawfully at large. Also included are similar offences under the Young Offenders Act, which preceded the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

***Drug Offences" includes possession and trafficking.

The concept of a case has changed to more closely reflect court processing. Statistics from the Integrated Criminal Court Survey used in this report should not be compared to editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview prior to 2007. A case is one or more charges against an accused person or corporation, processed by the courts at the same time, and where all of the charges in the case received a final disposition. Where a case has more than one charge, it is necessary to select a charge to represent the case. An offence is selected by applying two rules. First, the "most serious decision" rule is applied. In cases where two or more offences have the same decision, the "most serious offence" rule is applied. All charges are ranked according to an offence seriousness scale.

The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics continues to make updates to the offence library used to classify offence data sent by the provinces and territories. These improvements have resulted in minor changes in the counts of charges and cases as well as the distributions by type of offence. Data presented have been revised to account for these updates.

The most common youth court case is theft

Source: Integrated Criminal Court Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

* "Other Crimes Against the Person" includes the offences uttering threats and criminal harassment.

** "Other Administration of Justice" includes the offences failure to appear, failure to comply, and breach of recognizance.

*** Youth Criminal Justice Act offences include failure to comply with a disposition or undertaking, contempt against youth court, assisting a youth to leave a place of custody and harbouring a youth unlawfully at large. Also included are similar offences under the Young Offenders Act, which preceded the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The concept of a case has changed to more closely reflect court processing. Statistics from the Integrated Criminal Court Survey used in this report should not be compared to editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview prior to 2007. A case is one or more charges against an accused person or corporation, processed by the courts at the same time, and where all of the charges in the case received a final disposition. Where a case has more than one charge, it is necessary to select a charge to represent the case. An offence is selected by applying two rules.

First, the "most serious decision" rule is applied. In cases where two or more offences have the same decision, the "most ser ious offence" rule is applied. All charges are ranked according to an offence seriousness scale.

The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics continues to make updates to the offence library used to classify offence data sent by the provinces and territories. These improvements have resulted in minor changes in the counts of charges and cases as well as the distributions by type of offence. Data presented have been revised to account for these updates.

The most common sentence for youth is probation

Figure A10

Source: Integrated Criminal Court Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• Consistent with the objectives of the YCJA, fewer youth are sentenced to custody. In 2015-16, 15.5% of all guilty cases resulted in the youth being sentenced to custody.
• In 2015-16, 47% of youth found guilty were given probation as the most serious sentence. This rate has remained relatively stable since the implementation of the YCJA in April 2003.
• Of the new YCJA sentences, deferred custody and supervision orders were handed down most frequently. In 2015-16, 4.3% of all guilty cases received such an order as the most serious sentence.

Note:

* "Other Sentence" includes absolute discharge, restitution, prohibition, seizure, forfeiture, compensation, pay purchaser, essays, apologies, counselling programs and conditional discharge, conditional sentence, intensive support and supervision, attendance at non-residential program(s) and reprimand. This category also includes deferred custody and supervision, intensive support and supervision, attendance at non-residential program(s) and reprimand where sentencing data under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) are not available.

Unlike previous years, this data represents the most serious sentence and therefore, sanctions are mutually exclusive. However, each case may receive more than one sentence.

The concept of a case has changed to more closely reflect court processing. Statistics from the Integrated Criminal Court Survey used in this report should not be compared to editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview prior to 2007.

The most common sentence for youth is probation

Source: Integrated Criminal Court Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

* "Other Sentence" includes absolute discharge, restitution, prohibition, seizure, forfeiture, compensation, pay purchaser, essays, apologies, counselling programs and conditional discharge, conditional sentence, intensive support and supervision, attendance at non-residential program(s) and reprimand. This category also includes deferred custody and supervision, intensive support and supervision, attendance at non-residential program(s) and reprimand where sentencing data under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) are not available.

Unlike previous years, this data represents the most serious sentence and therefore, sanctions are mutually exclusive. However, each case may receive more than one sentence.

The concept of a case has changed to more closely reflect court processing. Statistics from the Integrated Criminal Court Survey used in this report should not be compared to editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview prior to 2007.

Section B - Corrections Administration

Expenditures on Corrections

Figure B1

Source: Correctional Service Canada; Parole Board of Canada; Office of the Correctional Investigator; Statistics Canada Consumer Price Index. Provincial figures derived from the Adult Correctional Services Survey, Canadian Center for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• In 2015-16, expenditures on federal corrections in Canada totaled approximately $2.41 billion, an 8.4% decrease from 2014-15.
• Provincial/territorial expenditures totaled about $2.37 billion in 2015-16, an increase of 7.1% from 2014-15.
• Since 2006-07, expenditures on federal corrections have increased by 25.8%, from $1.91 billion to $2.41 billion. In constant dollars, this represents an increase of 26.3%.
• Over the same time period, provincial/territorial expenditures increased by 55.0% from $1.53 billion to $2.37 billion. In constant dollars, this represents an increase of 55.7%.

Note:

Federal expenditures on corrections include spending by Correctional Service Canada (CSC), the Parole Board of Canada (PBC), and the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI). The expenditures for CSC include both operating and capital costs. CSC expenditures exclude CORCAN (a special operating agency that conducts industrial operations within penitentiaries). Provincial/Territorial expenditures do not include capital costs.

Constant dollars (2002) represent dollar amounts calculated on a one-year base that adjusts for inflation, allowing the yearly amounts to be directly comparable. Changes in the Consumer Price Index were used to calculate constant dollars.

Expenditures on Corrections

Source: Correctional Service Canada; Parole Board of Canada; Office of the Correctional Investigator; Statistics Canada Consumer Price Index.

Note:

Due to rounding, constant dollar amounts may not add up to "Total".

Per capita cost is calculated by dividing the total expenditures by the total Canadian population and thus represents the cost per Canadian for federal correctional services.

Constant dollars represent dollar amounts calculated on a one-year base (2002) that adjusts for inflation allowing the yearly amounts to be directly comparable.

Changes in the Consumer Price Index were used to calculate constant dollars.

CSC employees are concentrated in custody centres

Figure B2

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• Correctional Service Canada (CSC) has a total of 17,997 staff.^***
• Approximately 77% of CSC staff work in institutions.
• Staff employed in community supervision account for 8.2% of the total.

Note:

Due to rounding, constant dollar amounts may not add up to "Total".

Per capita cost is calculated by dividing the total expenditures by the total Canadian population and thus represents the cost per Canadian for federal correctional services.

Constant dollars represent dollar amounts calculated on a one-year base (2002) that adjusts for inflation allowing the yearly amounts to be directly comparable. Changes in the Consumer Price Index were used to calculate constant dollars.

CSC employees are concentrated in custody centres

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

Due to changes in policy, Correctional Officers no longer occupy positions in the community.

*These parole officers are situated within institutions, with the responsibility of preparing offenders for release.

**The "Other" category represents job classifications such as trades and food services.

***CSC has changed its definition of employee. Previously, the total number of employees included casual employees, employees on leave without pay and suspended employees. These categories have been removed from the total as of 2005-06. These numbers represent Indeterminate and Term equal to, or more than 3 months substantive employment; and Employee Status of Active and Paid Leave at the end of fiscal year 2016-17.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

The cost of keeping an inmate incarcerated

Figure B3

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• The federal average daily inmate cost has decreased from $322 in 2011-12 to $319 in 2015-16.
• In 2015-16, the annual average cost of keeping an inmate incarcerated was $116,364 per year, down from $117,788 per year in 2011-12. In 2015-16, the annual average cost of keeping a man incarcerated was $112,743 per year, whereas the annual average cost for incarcerating a woman was $192,742.
• The cost associated with maintaining an offender in the community is 73% less than the costs of maintaining an offender in custody ($31,052 per year versus $116,364 per year).

Note:

The average daily inmate cost includes those costs associated with the operation of the institutions, such as salaries and employee benefit plan contributions, but excludes capital expenditures and expenditures related to CORCAN (a special operating agency that conducts industrial operations within penitentiaries).

Total incarcerated and community includes additional NHQ & RHQ administrative costs which are not part of the Institutional and/or Community calculations.

Offenders in the Community includes: offenders on conditional release, statutory release or with Long-Term Supervision Order, under CSC supervision.

Figures may not add up due to rounding.

The cost of keeping an inmate incarcerated

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

The average daily inmate cost includes those costs associated with the operation of the institutions, such as salaries and employee benefit plan contributions, but excludes capital expenditures and expenditures related to CORCAN (a special operating agency that conducts industrial operations within penitentiaries).

Total incarcerated and community includes additional NHQ & RHQ administrative costs which are not part of the Institutional and/or Community calculations.

Offenders in the Community includes: offenders on conditional release, statutory release or with Long-Term Supervision Order, under CSC supervision.

Figures may not add up due to rounding.

The number of Parole Board of Canada employees

Figure B4

Source: Parole Board of Canada.

• The total number of full-time equivalents used by the Parole Board of Canada has increased by 12 since 2012-13.

Note:

A full-time equivalent is a measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person-year charge against a departmental budget.

Section 103 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act limits the Parole Board of Canada to 60 full-time members.

The number of Parole Board of Canada employees

Source: Parole Board of Canada.

Note:

A full-time equivalent is a measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person-year charge against a departmental budget.

Section 103 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act limits the Parole Board of Canada to 60 full-time members.

The number of employees in the Office of the Correctional Investigator

Figure B5

Source: Office of the Correctional Investigator.

• The total number of full-time equivalents at the Office of the Correctional Investigator has been stable in the last five years.
• In 2016-17, 6,768 complaints/enquiries* were received by the Office of the Correctional Investigator.

Note:

*The Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) may commence an investigation on receipt of a complaint by or on behalf of an offender or on its own initiative. Complaints are made by telephone, letter and during interviews with the OCI's investigative staff at federal correctional facilities. The dispositions in response to complaints involve a combination of internal responses (where the information or assistance sought by the offender can generally be provided by the OCI's investigative staff) and investigations (where, further to a review/analysis of law, policies and documentation, OCI investigative staff make an inquiry or several interventions with Correctional Service Canada and submit recommendations to address the complaint). Investigations vary considerably in terms of scope, complexity, duration and resources required.

The number of employees in the Office of the Correctional Investigator

Source: Office of the Correctional Investigator.

Health care is the most common area of offender complaint received by the Office of the Correctional Investigator

Figure B6

Source: Office of the Correctional Investigator.

• There were 6,768 complaints/enquiries^* received at the Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) in 2016-17.
• Health care (12.3%), conditions of confinement (10.3%), cell property (6.4%), and institutional transfers (6.2%) accounted for 35.8% of all complaints.

Note:

*The Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) may commence an investigation on receipt of a complaint by or on behalf of an offender or on its own initiative. Complaints are made by telephone, letter and during interviews with the OCI's investigative staff at federal correctional facilities. The dispositions in response to complaints involve a combination of internal responses (where the information or assistance sought by the offender can generally be provided by the OCI's investigative staff) and investigations (where, further to a review/analysis of law, policies and documentation, OCI investigative staff make an inquiry or several interventions with Correctional Service Canada and submit recommendations to address the complaint). Investigations vary considerably in terms of scope, complexity, duration and resources required.

Health care is the most common area of offender complaint received by the Office of the Correctional Investigator

Source: Office of the Correctional Investigator.

Note:

*The Office of the Correctional Investigator (OCI) may commence an investigation on receipt of a complaint by or on behalf of an offender or on its own initiative. Complaints are made by telephone, letter and during interviews with the OCI's investigative staff at federal correctional facilities. The dispositions in response to complaints involve a combination of internal responses (where the information or assistance sought by the offender can generally be provided by the OCI's investigative staff) and investigations (where, further to a review/analysis of law, policies and documentation, OCI investigative staff make an inquiry or several interventions with Correctional Service Canada and submit recommendations to address the complaint). Investigations vary considerably in terms of scope, complexity, duration and resources required.

The OCI has updated the categories of complaints to better reflect their corporate priorities and the changing nature of the complaints that they received in the 2010-11 fiscal year. As a result, some categories reported in previous years have been changed or removed.

**Previously, Decisions (General) - Implementation, Correspondence, and Mental Health were reported in "Other", therefore, numbers prior to 2010-11 are not reported.

***"Other" refers to other types of complaints not specified in the table and includes: Cell Placement, Claims Against the Crown, Community Programs/Supervision, Conditional Release, Death or Serious Injury, Diets, Discipline, Discrimination, Double Bunking, Employment, Food Services, Health and Safety - Inmate Worksites/Programs, Hunger Strike, Inmate Requests, Ion Scan/Drug Dog, Methadone, OCI, Official Languages, Operation/Decisions of the OCI, Release Procedures, Religious/Spiritual, Safety/Security - Incompatibles/Worksite, Search and Seizure, Sentence Administration, Temporary Absence, Temporary Absence Decision, Uncategorized, Urinalysis and Use of Force. In 2010-11, Cell Placement, Conditional Release, Employment, Inmate Requests, OCI, Religious/Spiritual, Safety/Security - Incompatibles/Worksite, and Temporary Absence were added to the "Other" category, and Correspondence, General Decision/Implementation, and Mental Health were removed.

The number of individual complaints processed by the OCI has decreased in recent years because the OCI has reallocated resources to sharpen its focus on systemic issues and death in custody investigations.

Section C - Offender Population

Offenders under the responsibility of Correctional Service Canada

Figure C1

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Definitions:

Total Offender Population includes all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

In-Custody includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

Temporarily Detained includes offenders who are physically held in a CSC facility or a non-CSC facility after being suspended for a breach of a parole condition or to prevent a breach of parole conditions.

Actively Supervised includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole or statutory release, as well as those who are in the community on long-term supervision orders.

CSC Facilities include all federal institutions and federally funded healing lodges.

In Community Under Supervision includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, or statutory release, or in the community supervised on a long term supervision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

In addition to Total Offender Population, there are excluded groups such as:

Federal jurisdiction offenders incarcerated in a Community Correctional Centre or in a non-CSC facility. Federal jurisdiction offenders deported/extradited including offenders for whom a deportation order has been enforced by the Canada Border Services Agency. Federal offenders on bail which includes offenders on judicial interim release; they have appealed their conviction or sentence and have been released to await results of a new trial. Escaped includes offenders who have absconded from either a correctional facility or while on a temporary absence and whose whereabouts are unknown. Unlawfully at Large for 90 days or more. This includes offenders who have been released to the community on day parole, full parole, statutory release, or a long-term supervision order for whom a warrant of suspension has been issued at least 90 days ago but has not yet been executed.

Note:

*The definition of "Offender Population" changed from previous editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview (CCRSO). As such, comparisons to editions of the CCRSO prior to 2016 should be done with caution.

Offenders under the responsibility of Correctional Service Canada

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

*In addition to this total offender population, 163 offenders were on bail, 125 offenders had escaped, 275 offenders serving a federal sentence were in custody in a non-CSC facility, 332 offenders were unlawfully at large for 90 days or more, and 422 offenders were deported.

The definition of "Offender Population" changed from previous editions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview (CCRSO). As such, comparisons to editions of the CCRSO prior to 2016 should be done with caution.

The number of offenders in custody in a CSC facility decreased in the last three years

Figure C2

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• The in-custody population has increased in six of the past ten consecutive years. In 2008-09, and in the past three fiscal years, there was a decrease in the in-custody population. There was a 3.8% decrease in the last year.
• From 2013-14 to 2015-16, the average provincial/territorial in-custody offender population increased by 17.1% from 21,704 to 25,405. The remand population increased by 29.6%, from 11,494 to 14,899 during this period. Since 2006-07, the number of remanded inmates has exceeded the number of sentenced inmates in provincial/territorial custody.^**

Note:

*The data reflect the number of offenders in custody at the end of each fiscal year. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The term "In-Custody Offenders" includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

**Source: Corrections Key Indicator Report for Adults and Youth, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

The number of offenders in custody in a CSC facility decreased in the last three years

Source: ¹ Correctional Service Canada.; ² Corrections Key Indicator Report for Adults and Youth, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

*Data reflects the number of offenders in custody at the end of each fiscal year. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The term "In-Custody in a CSC Facility" includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offend-ers who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility, and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

The figures for provincial and territorial offenders reflect annual average counts.

-- Data not available.

The number of admissions to federal jurisdiction has decreased

Figure C3

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• The number of warrant of committal admissions has fluctuated over the past decade but has declined by 9.8% compared to the highest point which occurred in 2010-11.
• After peaking at 8,501 in 2007-08, the number of admissions decreased by 17.2% to 7,036 in 2016-17.
• The number of women admitted to federal jurisdiction under warrants of committal increased by 51.1%, from 266 in 2012-13 to 402 in 2016-17.

Note:

*"Other" includes transfers from other jurisdictions (exchange of services), terminations, transfers from foreign countries, and admissions where a release is interrupted as a consequence of a new conviction.

These numbers refer to the total number of admissions to a federal institution or Healing Lodge during each fiscal year and may be greater than the actual number of offenders admitted, since an individual offender may be admitted more than once in a given year. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The number of admissions to federal jurisdiction has decreased

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

*"Other" includes transfers from other jurisdictions (exchange of services), terminations, transfers from foreign countries, and admissions where a release is interrupted as a consequence of a new conviction.

These numbers refer to the total number of admissions to a federal institution or Healing Lodge during each fiscal year and may be greater than the actual number of offenders admitted, since an individual offender may be admitted more than once in a given year. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The number of women admitted from the courts to federal jurisdiction increased in the last four years

Figure C4

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• In the last ten years, the number of women admitted to federal jurisdiction increased 32.2% from 304 in 2007-08 to 402 in 2016-17. During the same time period, there was a small decrease in the number of men admitted to federal jurisdiction, from 4,623 in 2007-08 to 4,407 in 2016-17.
• Overall, women continue to represent a small proportion of the total number of admissions (i.e., 8.4% in 2016-17).
• At the end of fiscal year 2016-17, there were 692 women in custody in Correctional Service Canada facilities.

Note:

A warrant of committal is a new admission to federal jurisdiction from the courts.

The number of women admitted from the courts to federal jurisdiction increased in the last four years

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

A warrant of committal is a new admission to federal jurisdiction from the courts.

About half of the total offender population in CSC facilities is serving a sentence of less than 5 years

Figure C5

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• In 2016-17, almost half (49.7%) of the total offender population^* was serving a sentence of less than five years with 23.4% serving a sentence of between two years and less than three years.
• Almost one quarter (23.8%) of the total offender population^* was serving an indeterminate sentence. The total number of offenders with indeterminate sentences has increased by 6.5% since 2012-13 from 5,158 to 5,492 in 2016-17.

Note:

*Total Offender Population includes all active offenders who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

Offenders serving a sentence less than two years includes offenders transferred from foreign countries or offenders under a long term supervision order who received a new sentence of less than two years.

About half of the total offender population in CSC facilities is serving a sentence of less than 5 years

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

Total Offender Population includes all active offenders who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

Offenders serving a sentence less than two years includes offenders transferred from foreign countries or offenders under a long term supervision order who received a new sentence of less than two years.

Offender age at admission to federal jurisdiction is increasing

Figure C6

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• In 2016-17, 34.3% of offenders admitted to federal jurisdiction were between the ages of 20 and 29, and 29.1% were between 30 and 39 years of age.
• The distribution of age upon admission is similar for both men and women.
• The median age of the population upon admission in 2016-17 was 34, compared to a median age of 33 in 2007-08.
• The number of offenders between the ages of 40 and 49 at admission decreased from 1,062 in 2007-08 to 892 in 2016-17, representing an 16.0% decrease.
• The number of offenders between the ages of 50 and 59 at admission increased from 359 in 2007-08 to 517 in 2016-17, representing a 44.0% increase.

Note:

*This offender was admitted to federal jurisdiction by the courts.

A warrant of committal is a new admission to federal jurisdiction from the courts.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

Offender age at admission to federal jurisdiction is increasing

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

*This offender was admitted to federal jurisdiction by the courts.

A warrant of committal is a new admission to federal jurisdiction from the courts.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

The average age at admission is lower for Indigenous offenders than for non-Indigenous offenders

Figure C7

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• Of those offenders admitted to federal jurisdiction in 2016-17, 47.0% of Indigenous offenders were under the age of 30, compared to 32.7% of non-Indigenous offenders.
• The median age of Indigenous offenders at admission was 30, compared to a median age of 35 for non-Indigenous offenders.
• The median age of Indigenous women offenders at admission was 32, compared to a median age of 34 for non-Indigenous women offenders.

Note:

*This offender was admitted to federal jurisdiction by the courts.

A warrant of committal is a new admission to federal jurisdiction from the courts.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

The average age at admission is lower for Indigenous offenders than for non-Indigenous offenders

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

*This offender was admitted to federal jurisdiction by the courts.

A warrant of committal is a new admission to federal jurisdiction from the courts.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

25% of the in-custody offender population is age 50 or over

Figure C8

Source: Correctional Service Canada; Statistics Canada.

• In 2016-17, 54.6% of in-custody offenders were under the age of 40.
• In 2016-17, 24.7% of the in-custody offender population was age 50 and over.
• The community offender population was older than the in-custody population; 37.6% of offenders in the community were age 50 and over, compared to 24.7% of the in-custody offenders in this age group.

Note:

*In-custody population includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility, and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

**2014 Postcensal Estimates, Demography Division, Statistics Canada and include only those age 18 and older.

In community under supervision includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, or in the community supervised on a long term supervision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

Due to rounding, percentage may not add up to 100 percent.

25% of the in-custody offender population is age 50 or over

Source: Correctional Service Canada; Statistics Canada.

Note:

*2014 Postcensal Estimates, Demography Division, Statistics Canada and include only those age 18 and older.

In-custody population includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are tem-porarily detained in a CSC facility, and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

In community under supervision includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, or in the community supervised on a long term super-vision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

Due to rounding, percentage may not add up to 100 percent.

58% of offenders are Caucasian

Figure C9

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• The federal offender population is becoming more diverse, as evidenced by the decrease in the proportion of Caucasian offenders (from 61.8% in 2012-13 to 57.9% in 2016-17).
• Between 2012-13 and 2016-17, the Indigenous population increased by 10.9% (from 4,799 to 5,322).
• In 2017, Indigenous People represented 4.9% of the Canadian population but account for 23.1% of the 2016-17 total federal offender population and 23.9% of 2016-17 warrant of committal admissions to federal jurisdiction. In 2015-16, Indigenous People accounted for 26.6% of all provincial/territorial custodial admissions and 23.4% of all provincial/territorial community corrections admissions.

Note:

The offenders themselves identify to which race they belong. The list of categories may not fully account for all races and the race groupings information has changed starting in 2012-13; therefore, the comparisons before and after 2012-13 should be done with caution.

"Indigenous" includes offenders who are Inuit, Innu, Métis and North American Indian. "Asian" includes offenders who are Arab, Arab/West Asian, Asian-East and Southeast, Asian-South, Asian West, Asiatic, Chinese, East Indian, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, South East Asian. "Asiatic" includes offenders who are Asian-East and Southeast, Asian-South, Asian West, and Asiatic. "Hispanic" includes offenders who are Hispanic and Latin American. "Black" includes offenders who are black. "Other/Unknown" includes offenders who are European French, European-Eastern, European-Northern, European-Southern, European-Western, Multiracial/Ethnic, Oceania, British Isles, Caribbean, Sub-Sahara African, offenders unable to identify to one race, other and unknown.

The data reflect all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

The data reflect the number of offenders active at the end of each fiscal year. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

58% of offenders are Caucasian

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

The offenders themselves identify to which race they belong. The list of categories may not fully account for all races and the race groupings information has changed starting in 2012-13; therefore, the comparisons before and after 2012-13 should be done with caution.

"Indigenous" includes offenders who are Inuit, Innu, Métis and North American Indian. "Asian" includes offenders who are Arab, Arab/West Asian, Asian-East and Southeast, Asian-South, Asian West, Asiatic, Chinese, East Indian, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, South Asian, South East Asian. "Asiatic" includes offenders who are Asian-East and Southeast, Asian-South, Asian West, and Asiatic. "Hispanic" includes offenders who are Hispanic and Latin American. "Black" includes offenders who are black. "Other/Unknown" includes offenders who are European French, European-Eastern, European-Northern, European-Southern, European-Western, Multiracial/Ethnic, Oceania, British Isles, Caribbean, Sub-Sahara African, offenders unable to identify to one race, other and unknown.

The data reflect all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

The data reflect the number of offenders active at the end of each fiscal year. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

The religious identification of the offender population is diverse

Figure C10

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• The religious identification of the offender population is diverse. While the proportion of offenders who identified as Catholic or Protestant still represented the majority, their proportions decreased from 50.8% in 2012-13 to 44.4% in 2016-17.
• Religious identification was unknown for 14.6% of offenders, whereas 13.5% stated they had no religion.

Note:

Religious identification is self-declared by offenders while they are incarcerated, and the categories are not comprehensive; therefore, the reader should interpret these data with caution.

Catholic includes offenders who are Catholic, Roman-Catholic, Greek-Catholic, Native-Catholic and Ukrainian-Catholic. Orthodox includes offenders who are Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and Ukrainian Orthodox. Protestant includes offenders who are Anglican, Baptist, Christian Missionary, Christian Reform, Hutterite, Luther-an, Mennonite, Moravian, Native Spirit, Nazarene Christ, Pentecostal, Philad. Church God, Presbyterian, Protestant, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventist, United Church, Christ Methodist, Christ Wesleyan and Worldwide Church. Buddhist includes offenders who are Buddhist, Mahayana Buddhist and Theravadan Buddhist.

Other includes other declared identifications such as Agnostic, Asatruar Pagan, Atheist, Baha'i, Christian non spec., Christian Science, Church of Science, Druidry Pagan, Hindu, Independant Spirit, Jehovah's Witness, Krishna , Mormon, Pagan, Quaker (Society of Friends), Rastafarian, Scientology, Siddhan Yoga, Sufiism, Taoism, Unitarian, Wicca and Zoroastrian.

The data reflect the total offender population which includes all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

The data reflect the number of offenders active at the end of each fiscal year. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

The religious identification of the offender population is diverse

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

Religious identification is self-declared by offenders while they are incarcerated, and the categories are not comprehensive; therefore, the reader should interpret these data with caution.

Catholic includes offenders who are Catholic, Roman-Catholic, Greek-Catholic, Native-Catholic and Ukrainian-Catholic. Orthodox includes offenders who are Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and Ukrainian Orthodox. Protestant includes offenders who are Anglican, Baptist, Christian Missionary, Christian Reform, Hutterite, Luther-an, Mennonite, Moravian, Native Spirit, Nazarene Christ, Pentecostal, Philad. Church God, Presbyterian, Protestant, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventist, United Church, Christ Methodist, Christ Wesleyan and Worldwide Church. Buddhist includes offenders who are Buddhist, Mahayana Buddhist and Theravadan Buddhist.

Other includes other declared identifications such as Agnostic, Asatruar Pagan, Atheist, Baha'i, Christian non spec., Christian Science, Church of Science, Druidry Pagan, Hindu, Independant Spirit, Jehovah's Witness, Krishna , Mormon, Pagan, Quaker (Society of Friends), Rastafarian, Scientology, Siddhan Yoga, Sufiism, Taoism, Unitarian, Wicca and Zoroastrian.

The data reflect the total offender population which includes all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

The data reflect the number of offenders active at the end of each fiscal year. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

The proportion of Indigenous offenders in custody is higher than for non-Indigenous offenders

Figure C11

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• At the end of fiscal year 2016-17, the proportion of offenders in custody was about 12.9% greater for Indigenous offenders (71.4%) than for non-Indigenous offenders (58.5%).
• Indigenous women in custody represent 36.6% of all in-custody women while Indigenous men in custody represent 26.3% of all men in custody.
• In 2016-17, Indigenous offenders represented 23.1% of the total offender population.
• Indigenous offenders accounted for 26.8% of the in-custody population and 17.2% of the community population in 2016-17.

Note:

Total Offender Population includes all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.
In Custody includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

In Community Under Supervision includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, or in the community supervised on a long term supervision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

The data reflect the number of offenders active at the end of each fiscal year. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The proportion of Indigenous offenders in custody is higher than for non-Indigenous offenders

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

Total Offender Population includes all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.
In Custody includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

In Community Under Supervision includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, or in the community supervised on a long term supervision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

The data reflect the number of offenders active at the end of each fiscal year. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The majority of in-custody offenders are classified as medium security risk

Figure C12

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• Approximately two-thirds (62.1%) of offenders were classified as medium security risk.
• Indigenous offenders were more likely to be classified as medium or maximum security risk compared to non-Indigenous offenders.
• Compared to non-Indigenous offenders, a lower percentage of Indigenous offenders was classified as minimum security risk (18.3% vs. 24.3%) and a higher percentage was classified as medium (63.5% vs. 61.6%) and maximum (18.3% vs. 14.0%) security risk.

Note:

The data represent the offender security level decision at the end of fiscal year 2016-17.

In Custody includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility, and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

The majority of in-custody offenders are classified as medium security risk

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

*The "Not Yet Determined" category includes offenders who have not yet been classified.

The data represent the offender security level decision at the end of fiscal year 2016-17.

In Custody includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility, and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

Admissions with a life or indeterminate sentence

Figure C13

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• From 2007-08 to 2016-17, the number of admissions to federal jurisdiction with a life/indeterminate^* sentence remained relatively stable, ranging from 165 to 194.
• At the end of fiscal year 2016-17, a total of 3,621 offenders were in custody with a life/indeterminate sentence. Of these, 3,493 (96.5%) were men and 128 (3.5%) were women; 916 (25.3%) were Indigenous and 2,705 (74.7%) were non-Indigenous.
• At the end of fiscal year 2016-17, 23.8% of the total population was serving a life/indeterminate sentence. Of these offenders, 65.9% were in custody and 34.1% were in the community under supervision.

Note:

*Although life sentences and indeterminate sentences both may result in imprisonment for life, they are different. A life sentence is a sentence of life imprisonment, imposed by a judge at the time of sentence, for example for murder. An indeterminate sentence is a result of a designation, where an application is made to the court to declare an offender a Dangerous Offender, and the consequence of this designation is imprisonment for an indeterminate period.

A warrant of committal is a new admission to federal jurisdiction from the courts.

This table combines offenders serving life sentences and offenders serving indeterminate sentences.

Total Offender Population includes all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

Admissions with a life or indeterminate sentence

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

This table combines offenders serving life sentences and offenders serving indeterminate sentences.

Although life sentences and indeterminate sentences both may result in imprisonment for life, they are different. A life sentence is a sentence of life imprison-ment, imposed by a judge at the time of sentence, for example for murder. An indeterminate sentence is a result of a designation, where an application is made to the court to declare an offender a Dangerous Offender, and the consequence of this designation is imprisonment for an indeterminate period.

A warrant of committal is a new admission to federal jurisdiction from the courts.

Total Offender Population includes all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

Offenders with life or indeterminate sentences represent 24% of the total offender population

Figure C14

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• At the end of fiscal year 2016-17, there were 5,492 offenders serving a life sentence and/or an indeterminate sentence. This represents 23.8% of the total offender population. The majority (65.9%) of these offenders were in custody. Of the 1,871 offenders who were in the community under supervision, the majority (80.9%) were serving a life sentence for 2nd Degree Murder.
• There were 22 offenders who were serving both a life sentence and an indeterminate sentence.
• There were 612 offenders who were serving an indeterminate sentence as a result of a special designation. The remaining 4,858 offenders did not receive a special designation, but were serving a life sentence.
• 96.0% of the 593 Dangerous Offenders with indeterminate sentences were in custody and 4.0% were in the community under supervision.
• In contrast, 43.8% of the 16 Dangerous Sexual Offenders were in custody and all three of the Habitual Offenders were in the community under supervision. There is one Habitual Offender included in the Designation and Life grouping, this offender was in the community under supervision as well.

Note:

Although life sentences and indeterminate sentences may both result in imprisonment for life, they are different. A life sentence is a sentence of life imprisonment, imposed by a judge at the time of sentence, for example, for murder. An indeterminate sentence is a result of a designation, where an application is made to the court to declare an offender a Dangerous Offender, and the consequence of this designation is imprisonment for an indeterminate period. The Dangerous Sexual Offender and Habitual Offender designations were replaced with Dangerous Offender Legislation in 1977.

Total Offender Population includes all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days. In Custody includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility and offenders on remand in a CSC facility. In Community Under Supervision includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, in the community supervised on a long term supervision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

Offenders with life or indeterminate sentences represent 24% of the total offender population

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

*"Other offences" include Schedule I Schedule II and Non-Schedule types of offences.

**This includes 113 offenders designated as Dangerous Offenders who were serving determinate sentences.

***"Other" in the Community Under Supervision includes offenders on statutory release or on a long term supervision order.

Among the 22 offenders serving an indeterminate sentence (due to a special designation) and a life sentence (due to an offence), there was one Habitual Offender.

Although life sentences and indeterminate sentences both may result in imprisonment for life, they are different. A life sentence is a sentence of life imprisonment, imposed by a judge at the time of sentence, for example for murder. An indeterminate sentence is a result of a designation, where an application is made to the court to declare an offender a Dangerous Offender, and the consequence of this designation is imprisonment for an indeterminate period. The Dangerous Sexual Offender and Habitual Offender designations were replaced with Dangerous Offender legislation in 1977.

Total Offender Population includes all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days. In Custody includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility and offenders on remand in a CSC facility. In Community Under Supervision includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, in the community supervised on a long term supervision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

69.5% of offenders are serving a sentence for a violent offence^*

Figure C15

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• At the end fiscal year 2016-17, Indigenous offenders were more likely to be serving a sentence for a violent offence (79.5% for Indigenous versus 66.6% for non-Indigenous offenders).
• 71.3% of Indigenous women offenders were serving a sentence for a violent offence compared to 46.4% of non-Indigenous women offenders.
• Of those offenders serving a sentence for Murder, 4.7% were women and 21.0% were Indigenous.
• A greater proportion of Indigenous offenders than non-Indigenous offenders were serving a sentence for a Schedule I offence (61.0% versus 45.6%, respectively).
• 9.6% of Indigenous offenders were serving a sentence for a Schedule II offence compared to 20.8% of non-Indigenous offenders.
• 30.2% of women were serving a sentence for a Schedule II offence compared to 17.5% of men.

Note:

*Violent offences include Murder I, Murder II and Schedule I offences.

Schedule I is comprised of sexual offences and other violent crimes excluding first and second degree murder (see the Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

Schedule II is comprised of serious drug offences or conspiracy to commit serious drug offences (see the Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

In cases where the offender is serving a sentence for more than one offence, the data reflect the most serious offence.

The data reflect all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

69.5% of offenders are serving a sentence for a violent offence*

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

*Violent offences include Murder I, Murder II and Schedule I offences.

Schedule I is comprised of sexual offences and other violent crimes excluding first and second degree murder (see the Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

Schedule II is comprised of serious drug offences or conspiracy to commit serious drug offences (see the Corrections and Conditional Release Act).

In cases where the offender is serving a sentence for more than one offence, the data reflect the most serious offence.

The data reflect all active offenders, who are incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained, offenders who are actively supervised, and offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days.

The number of Indigenous offenders has increased

Figure C16

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• From 2007-08 to 2016-17, the in-custody Indigenous offender population increased by 35.8%, while the total Indigenous offender population increased by 38.5% over the same time period.
• The number of in-custody Indigenous women offenders increased steadily from 177 in 2007-08 to 253 in 2016-17, for an increase of 42.9% in the last ten years. The increase for in-custody Indigenous men offenders was 35.4% for the same period, increasing from 2,619 to 3,545.
• From 2007-08 to 2016-17, the number of Indigenous offenders on community supervision increased by 45.6%, from 1,047 to 1,524. The Indigenous community population accounted for 17.2% of the total community population in 2016-17.

Note:

*In-Custody Population includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility, and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

**In Community Under Supervision Population includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, or in the community supervised on a long term supervision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

Regional statistics for Correctional Service Canada account for data relating to the northern territories in the following manner: data for Nunavut are reported in the Ontario Region, data for the Northwest Territories are reported in the Prairies Region, and data for Yukon are reported in the Pacific Region.

The number of Indigenous offenders has increased

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

In-Custody Population includes all active offenders incarcerated in a CSC facility, offenders on temporary absence from a CSC facility, offenders who are temporarily detained in a CSC facility, and offenders on remand in a CSC facility.

In Community Under Supervision Population includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, or in the community supervised on a long term supervision order, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

Regional statistics for Correctional Service Canada account for data relating to the northern territories in the following manner: data for Nunavut are reported in the Ontario Region, data for the Northwest Territories are reported in the Prairies Region, and data for Yukon are reported in the Pacific Region.

The total number of admissions to administrative segregation has decreased

Figure C17

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• In 2016-17, the total admissions to administrative segregation decreased by 11.1%, from 6,788 in 2015-16 to 6,037 in 2016-17.
• In 2016-17, 95.2% of the total admissions were men, and admissions of Indigenous offenders accounted for 34.1%.
• At the end of fiscal year 2016-17, there were 408 offenders in administrative segregation. Of these, 405 were men and 3 were women. A total of 152 Indigenous offenders were in administrative segregation.

Note:

These reports count admissions, not offenders. Offenders admitted multiple times to segregation are counted once for each admission. Offenders segregated under paragraph (f), subsection 44(1) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Disciplinary Segregation) are not included.

Administrative segregation is the separation, when specific legal requirements are met, of an inmate from the general population, other than pursuant to a disciplinary decision. As per subsection 31(3) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act: The institutional head may order that an inmate be confined in administrative segregation if the institutional head is satisfied that there is no reasonable alternative to administrative segregation and he or she believes on reasonable grounds that (a) the inmate has acted, has attempted to act or intends to act in a manner that jeopardizes the security of the penitentiary or the safety of any person and allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would jeopardize the security of the penitentiary or the safety of any person; (b) allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would interfere with an investigation that could lead to a criminal charge or a charge under subsection 41(2) of a serious disciplinary offence; or (c) allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would jeopardize the inmate's safety.

The total number of admissions to administrative segregation has decreased

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

These reports count admissions, not offenders. Offenders admitted multiple times to segregation are counted once for each admission. Offenders segregated under paragraph (f), subsection 44(1) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Disciplinary Segregation) are not included.

*Administrative segregation is the separation, when specific legal requirements are met, of an inmate from the general population, other than pursuant to a disciplinary decision. As per subsection 31(3) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act: The institutional head may order that an inmate be confined in administrative segregation if the institutional head is satisfied that there is no reasonable alternative to administrative segregation and he or she believes on reasonable grounds that (a) the inmate has acted, has attempted to act or intends to act in a manner that jeopardizes the security of the penitentiary or the safety of any person and allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would jeopardize the security of the penitentiary or the safety of any person; (b) allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would interfere with an investigation that could lead to a criminal charge or a charge under subsection 41(2) of a serious disciplinary offence; or (c) allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would jeopardize the inmate's safety.

75% of admissions to administrative segregation stay for less than 30 days

Figure C18

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• Most (75.2%) placements in administrative segregation ended in 30 days or less, and 15.8% lasted between 30 and 60 days. 1.9% of placements to administrative segregation lasted more than 120 days.
• 93.9% of placements of women stayed in administrative segregation for less than 30 days.
• The number of admissions to administrative segregation that resulted in placements lasting more than 120 days in administrative segregation was slightly lower for Indigenous offenders (1.6%) than for non-Indigenous offenders (2.0%).

Note:

These reports count admissions, not offenders. Offenders admitted multiple times to segregation are counted once for each admission. Offenders segregated under paragraph (f), subsection 44(1) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Disciplinary Segregation) are not included.

Administrative segregation is the involuntary or voluntary separation, when specific legal requirements are met, of an inmate from the general population, other than pursuant to a disciplinary decision. As per subsection 31(3) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act: The institutional head may order that an inmate be confined in administrative segregation if the institutional head is satisfied that there is no reasonable alternative to administrative segregation and he or she believes on reasonable grounds that (a) the inmate has acted, has attempted to act or intends to act in a manner that jeopardizes the security of the penitentiary or the safety of any person and allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would jeopardize the security of the penitentiary or the safety of any person; (b) allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would interfere with an investigation that could lead to a criminal charge or a charge under subsection 41(2) of a serious disciplinary offence; or (c) allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would jeopardize the inmate's safety.

75% of admissions to administrative segregation stay for less than 30 days

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

These reports count admissions, not offenders. Offenders admitted multiple times to segregation are counted once for each admission. Offenders segregated under paragraph (f), subsection 44(1) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Disciplinary Segregation) are not included.

Administrative segregation is the involuntary or voluntary separation, when specific legal requirements are met, of an inmate from the general population, other than pursuant to a disciplinary decision. As per subsection 31(3) of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act:

The institutional head may order that an inmate be confined in administrative segregation if the institutional head is satisfied that there is no reasonable alterna-tive to administrative segregation and he or she believes on reasonable grounds that (a) the inmate has acted, has attempted to act or intends to act in a manner that jeopardizes the security of the penitentiary or the safety of any person and allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would jeopardize the security of the penitentiary or the safety of any person; (b) allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would interfere with an investigation that could lead to a criminal charge or a charge under subsection 41(2) of a serious disciplinary offence; or (c) allowing the inmate to associate with other inmates would jeopardize the inmate's safety.

The number of offender deaths while in custody

Figure C19

Source: Adult Correctional Services Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada

• In the ten-year period from 2006-07 to 2015-16, a total of 553 federal offenders and 372 provincial offenders died while in custody.
• During this time period, suicides accounted for 15.7% of federal offender deaths and 21.5% of provincial offender deaths. The suicide rate was approximately 59 per 100,000 for incarcerated federal offenders, and approximately 33 per 100,000 for incarcerated provincial offenders^**. These rates are significantly higher than the 2009 rate of 11.5 suicides per 100,000 people in Canada.
• Between 2006-07 and 2015-16, 3.8% of federal offender deaths and 1.1% of provincial offender deaths were due to homicide. The homicide rate for incarcerated federal offenders was approximately 14.3 per 100,000 and 1.7 per 100,000 for incarcerated provincial offenders^**. The federal rate is significantly higher than the national homicide rate of 1.7 per 100,000 people in 2016.

Note:

*Other causes of death include: natural causes, accidental deaths, death as a result of a legal intervention, other causes of death and where cause of death was unknown. Data for Alberta for 2013-14 and onward are now available.

**For the calculation of rates, the total actual in-count numbers between 2006-07 and 2015-16 was used as the denominator.

The data on cause of death are subject to change following an official review or investigation, and should be used/interprete d with caution. The data presented were provided by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics at Statistics Canada, and may not reflect the outcome of recent reviews or investigations on cause of death.

The number of offender deaths while in custody

Source: Adult Correctional Services Survey, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada

Note:

*Other causes of death include: natural causes, accidental deaths, death as a result of a legal intervention, other causes of death and where cause of death was unknown.

Data for Alberta for 2013-14 and onward are now available.

The data on cause of death are subject to change following an official review or investigation, and should be used/interprete d with caution. The data presented were provided by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics at Statistics Canada, and may not reflect the outcome of recent reviews or investigations on cause of death.

The number of escapees

Figure C20

Source: Security, Correctional Service Canada.

• In 2016-17, there were eight escape incidents involving a total of eight offenders. All of the eight offenders were recaptured.
• In 2016-17, there was one inmate who escaped from the medium security unit of a multi-level institution, four inmates who escaped from the minimum security unit of multi-level institutions, and three inmates who escaped from minimum security units.
• Offenders who escaped from federal institutions in 2016-17 represented 0.1% of the in-custody population.

Note:

The data represents the number of escape incidents from federal facilities during each fiscal year. An escape can involve more than one offender. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The number of escapees

Source: Security, Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

The data represents the number of escape incidents from federal facilities during each fiscal year. An escape can involve more than one offender. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The population of offenders in the community under supervision has increased in the past four years

Figure C21

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• Over the past five years, the total offender population supervised in the community increased by 15.7%. For the same period, the total number of offenders on full parole increased by 23.6% while the proportion of offenders on statutory release increased by 2.5%.
• At the end of fiscal year 2016-17, there were 7,835 men and 628 women on active community super-vision.

Note:

*These cases reflect the number of offenders on active supervision at fiscal year end. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The data reflect the offender population in the community under supervision which includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

The data presented above do not include offenders who were on long term supervision orders (see Figure/Table E4).

Day parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada whereby offenders are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. The conditions require offenders to return nightly to an institution or half-way house unless otherwise authorized by the Parole Board of Canada. Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada whereby the remainder of the sentence is served under supervision in the community. Statutory release refers to a conditional release that is subject to supervision after the offender has served two-thirds of the sentence.

The population of offenders in the community under supervision has increased in the past four years

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

These cases reflect the number of offenders on active supervision at fiscal year end. A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The data reflect the offender population in the community under supervision which includes all active offenders on day parole, full parole, statutory release, offenders who are temporarily detained in a non-CSC facility, offenders on remand in a non-CSC facility, offenders who are unlawfully at large for less than 90 days, and offenders supervised and subject to an immigration hold by the Canada Border Services Agency.

The data presented above do not include offenders who were on long term supervision orders (see Figure/Table E4).

Day parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada whereby offenders are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. The conditions require offenders to return nightly to an institution or half-way house unless otherwise authorized by the Parole Board of Canada. Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada whereby the remainder of the sentence is served under supervision in the community. Statutory release refers to a conditional release that is subject to supervision after the offender has served two-thirds of the sentence.

*Percent change is measured from the previous year.

Provincial/territorial community corrections population increased

Figure C22

Source: Corrections Key Indicator Report for Adults and Youth, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• The provincial/territorial community corrections population increased 6.5% in 2015-16, from 89,452 in 2014-15 to 95,241 in 2015-16.
• There has been a gradual decline in the number of offenders on conditional sentence orders over the past decade. It has decreased 33.5% from 12,776 in 2006-07 to 8,492 in 2015-16.

Note:

A conditional sentence is a disposition of the court where the offender serves a term of imprisonment in the community under specified conditions. This type of sentence can only be imposed in cases where the term of imprisonment would be less than two years. Conditional sentences have been a provincial and territorial sentencing option since September 1996.

Provincial/territorial community corrections population increased

Source: Corrections Key Indicator Report for Adults and Youth, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

A conditional sentence is a disposition of the court where the offender serves a term of imprisonment in the community under specified conditions. This type of sentence can only be imposed in cases where the term of imprisonment would be less than two years. Conditional sentences have been a provincial and territorial sentencing option since September 1996.

The number of offenders on provincial parole increased

Figure C23

Source: Corrections Key Indicator Report for Adults, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

• The number of offenders on provincial parole increased by 1.5% from 970 offenders in 2014-15 to 985 in 2015-16.
• Since 2012-13, there has been a 28.1% increase in the number of offenders on provincial parole, up from 769 in 2012-13 to 985 in 2015-16.

Note:

Provincial parole boards operate in Quebec and Ontario. On April 1, 2007, the Parole Board of Canada assumed responsibility for parole decisions relating to offenders serving sentences in British Columbia's provincial correctional facilities. The Parole Board of Canada has jurisdiction over granting parole to provincial offenders in the Atlantic and Prairie provinces, British Columbia, and to territorial offenders in Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

The number of offenders on provincial parole increased

Source: Corrections Key Indicator Report for Adults and Youth, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada.

Note:

*On April 1, 2007, the Parole Board of Canada assumed responsibility for parole decisions relating to offenders serving sentences in British Columbia's provincial correctional facilities.

**The data represent the number of provincial offenders who are released from custody on the authority of the Parole Board of Canada and supervised by the Correctional Service of Canada.

Provincial parole boards operate in Quebec and Ontario. The Parole Board of Canada has jurisdiction over granting parole to provincial offenders in the Atlantic and Prairie provinces, British Columbia, and to territorial offenders in Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

Section D - Conditional Release

The percentage of offenders released from federal penitentiaries at statutory release decreased in the past four years

Figure D1

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• In fiscal year 2016-17, 64.4% of all releases from federal institutions were at statutory release.
• In fiscal year 2016-17, 77.8% of releases for Indigenous offenders were at statutory release compared to 59.6% of releases for non-Indigenous offenders.
• Over the past ten years, the percentage of releases at statutory release has decreased from 68.9% to 64.4%.

Note:

*Percentage is calculated based on the number of statutory releases compared to the total releases for each offender group.

The data includes all releases from a federal institution or Healing Lodge in a given fiscal year excluding offenders with quashed sentences, offenders who died in custody, LTSO releases, offenders released at warrant expiry and offenders transferred to foreign countries. An offender may be released more than once a year in cases where a previous release was subject to revocation, suspension, temporary detention, or interruption.

Statutory release refers to a conditional release that is subject to supervision after the offender has served two-thirds of the sentence.

A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The percentage of offenders released from federal penitentiaries at statutory release decreased in the past four years

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

*Percentage is calculated based on the number of statutory releases compared to the total releases for each offender group.

The data includes all releases from a federal institution or Healing Lodge in a given fiscal year excluding offenders with quashed sentences, offenders who died in custody, LTSO releases, offenders released at warrant expiry and offenders transferred to foreign countries. An offender may be released more than once a year in cases where a previous release was subject to revocation, suspension, temporary detention, or interruption.

Statutory release refers to a conditional release that is subject to supervision after the offender has served two-thirds of the sentence.

A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The percentage of offenders released from federal penitentiaries on day and full parole increased in the past four years

Figure D2

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

• In fiscal year 2016-17, 33.4% of all releases from federal institutions were on day parole and 2.2% were on full parole.
• In fiscal year 2016-17, 21.5% of releases for Indigenous offenders were on day parole and 0.6% were on full parole compared to 37.6% and 2.7%, respectively for non-Indigenous offenders.
• Over the past ten years, the percentage of releases on day parole has increased from 28.7% to 33.4% and the percentage of releases on full parole has decreased from 2.4% to 2.2%.

Note:

*Percentage is calculated based on the number of day and full paroles compared to the total releases for each offender group.

The data includes all releases from federal penitentiaries in a given fiscal year excluding offenders with quashed sentences, offenders who died in custody, LTSO releases, offenders released at warrant expiry and offenders transferred to foreign countries. An offender may be released more than once a year in cases where a previous release was subject to revocation, suspension, temporary detention, or interruption.

Day parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada whereby offenders are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. The conditions require offenders to return nightly to an institution or half-way house unless otherwise authorized by the Parole Board of Canada.

Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada whereby the remainder of the sentence is served under supervision in the community.

A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

The percentage of offenders released from federal penitentiaries on day and full parole increased in the past four years

Source: Correctional Service Canada.

Note:

The data includes all releases from a federal institution or Healing Lodge in a given fiscal year excluding offenders with quashed sentences, offenders who died in custody, LTSO releases, offenders released at warrant expiry and offenders transferred to foreign countries. An offender may be released more than once a year in cases where a previous release was subject to revocation, suspension, temporary detention, or interruption.

Day parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada whereby offenders are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release.  The conditions require offenders to return nightly to an institution or half-way house unless otherwise authorized by the Parole Board of Canada.

Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada whereby the remainder of the sentence is served under supervision in the community.

A fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following year.

Percentage is calculated based on the number of day and full paroles compared to the total releases for each offender group. Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

Federal day and full parole grant rates increased

Figure D3

Source: Parole Board of Canada.

• In 2016-17, the federal day parole grant rate increased 2.9 percentage points to 77.9% compared to the previous year.
• In 2016-17, the federal full parole grant rate increased 1.4 percentage points to 35.1% compared to the previous year.
• Over the last 10 years, female offenders had a much higher grant rate for federal day parole (83.4%) and federal full parole (39.8%) than male offenders (69.3% and 25.7% respectfully).

Note:

The grant rate represents the percentage of pre-release reviews resulting in a grant by the Parole Board of Canada.

Day parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada in which offenders are permitted to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. The conditions require offenders to return nightly to an institution or half-way house unless otherwise authorized by the Parole Board of Canada. Not all offenders apply for day parole, and some apply more than once before being granted day parole.

Full parole is a type of conditional release granted by the Parole Board of Canada in which the remainder of the sentence is served under supervision in the community. The Parole Board of Canada must review the cases of all offenders for full parole at the time prescribed by legislation, unless the offender advises the Parole Board of Canada in writing that he/she does not wish to be considered for full parole.

On March 28, 2011, Bill C-59 (Abolition of Early Parole Act) eliminated the accelerated parole review (APR) process, affecting first-time non-violent offenders serving sentences for Schedule II and non-Schedule offences, who in 2011-12 were no longer eligible for an APR review. These offenders are now assessed on general reoffending as compared to the APR risk assessment, which considered the risk of committing a violent offence only. To better illustrate historical trends, APR decisions were excluded.

Even though comparisons were made between federal regular day parole and full parole grant rates only, they nevertheless contain an APR residual effect between 2011-12 and 2015-16 as a sufficiently large proportion of the APR-affected population was granted regular federal day parole and full parole, perhaps inflating the grant rates.

Federal day and full parole grant rates increased